How to make Mayonnaise

Mayonnaise is a smooth savoury sauce made from oil and the yolk of eggs. It is an emulsion in which the oil is dispersed in tiny droplets. Egg yolk contains lecithin which prevents the oil and water from separating out. Mustard is also a good emulsifier and is frequently added. Vinegar, usually wine vinegar, or lemon juice are added for flavour and because acidity is necessary for the emulsion to properly form. Garlic is a frequent addition. The oil used is normally a flavourless type such as sunflower oil or corn oil, but you can substitute some for a stronger tasting oil such as olive oil.

Mayonnaise is notoriously difficult for the beginner, as it often curdles, but easy once you have the knack.

Ingredients for Mayonnaise:

• 1 egg yolk
• 2 1/2 teaspoons (12.5 mL) lemon juice and/or vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoons (2.5 mL) Dijon mustard
• 1/4 teaspoons (1 mL) salt
• 3/4 cup (180mL) oil

Method:

1. In a large bowl, beat the egg yolk with a wire whisk for about a minute.
2. Then add the mustard, salt, and half the lemon juice. Whisk for another minute - the mixture should thicken very slightly.
3. Then, very slowly, add half the oil with one hand whilst whisking with the other.
4. Start drop by drop, incorporating each drop before adding the next, and build up to a trickle.
5. Keep going until the oil is whisked in.
6. Add the rest of the lemon juice, whisk to combine.
7. Add the rest of the oil in the same manner as before.
8. Keep going until all the oil is whisked in.
9. You can now stir flavourings such as crushed garlic into the finished mayonnaise, or use the mayonnaise as a base for other sauces.

Notes, tips and variations

• One can make the whisking process easier by using a kitchen towel. Wet a kitchen towel, or any small towel, until it is very wet and heavy, but not dripping. Coil the towel on top of a flat surface, such as the kitchen countertop or a table. Place the bowl onto the circle. This will provide a steady base for the bowl and allow you to whisk with one hand while adding ingredients with the other.
• If the mayonnaise should curdle, it can be recovered by slowly dripping the curdled mayonnaise into another egg yolk while whisking vigorously all the time.
• ½ teaspoons white sugar can be added for those with a sweet tooth. Add with the salt at the beginning.
• It's easier to just use an immersion blender for the whisking. In case the mix curdles, you can put the curdled mix away, start with a new attempt and once you get the emulsion going, add the curdled mix just as you were adding oil.
• For special occasion, you can spice up this recipe by making Juanz mayonnaise. Just add about a handfull of finely chopped Cilantro and about half a tooth of crushed garlic. This is also known as Banana's Mayonnaise.

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Photo Credit Wardeh
Recipe under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License